David Fincher’s first full “Dragon Tattoo” trailer – AWARDS ALLEY

By Sean O’ConnellHollywoodnews.com: A full-length trailer for David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” arrived online, giving movie fans their first official glimpse at the director’s anticipated adaptation as it steamrolls toward its Dec. 21 release date.

The trailer arrives on the heels of an 8-minute feature Sony attached to select prints of “Straw Dogs” screenings and “Moneyball” previews over the past two weeks. This new clip is- half as long, but equally effective in setting up the story (and dark tone) for anyone who’s unfamiliar with either Stieg Larsson’s “Tattoo” novel or the Swedish adaptation that precedes Fincher’s work.

Here’s the trailer:

The trailer confirms what most of us expected, that Fincher’s the right choice for an American remake, and that Craig’s a suitable stand in for Michael Nyqvist as besmirched journalist Mikael Blomkvist.

The revelation is Rooney Mara, who’s tasked with stepping into Noomi Rapace’s shoes as Lisbeth. And from what I see in this trailer, she’s more than up to the challenge. Her short, chilly line deliveries are spectacular. They are as much a part of Fincher’s snowy backdrop as they are daggers to the picture’s heart.

Consider me on board for Fincher’s “Dragon Tattoo.” Now I’m wondering if a trilogy is possible if and when this movie take off over the holiday season.

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About Sean O'Connell

Sean O'Connell is a nationally recognized film critic. His reviews have been published in print ('The Washington Post,' 'USA Today') and online (AMC FilmCritic.com, MSN's Citysearch) since 1996. He's a weekly contributor to several national radio programs. He is a longstanding member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS), and the Southeastern Film Critics View all articles by Sean O'Connell Association (SEFCA).